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Overview of the Doctoral Program
Research Training
The doctoral program in Neural Science is designed primarily to provide research training
at the highest level; as such, it places particular emphasis on engaging students in research
throughout their tenure in the program.
The core curriculum includes laboratory rotations, ordinarily in two or three of
the Center's laboratories. By the end of the first year, students
have usually selected an area and laboratory in which they wish to pursue their dissertation research.
A three-member faculty committee, including the chosen research sponsor oversees the conduct of
students' research. This committee is typically supplemented by two additional members to form
the examining committee for the doctoral dissertation.
Academic Requirements
Overall Requirements
Students in the Doctoral Program in Neural Science normally register for 9-12 credits of course work each semester; a minimum of 72 course credits is required for the Ph.D.
Core Curriculum
All students are required to take the 28-credit core curriculum, normally in the two semesters of the first year. This curriculum consists of lecture and laboratory courses taught by a team of Center faculty members who provide in-depth treatment of all major areas in neuroscience.
Laboratory
The laboratory component of the curriculum includes both hands-on experience with a variety of neurobiological methods in a weekly six-hour instructional laboratory and also two or three rotations in laboratories of members of the Center. The rotations are of particular importance for students joining the program, because they provide experience in the variety of research topics and methods used in the Center. The rotations also allow students to investigate possible laboratories for thesis work. In addition, students attend a weekly one-hour colloquium at which outside speakers discuss their research. Several journal clubs provide forums for student discussion of the current research literature.
Research
Pre- and postdoctoral trainees formally present their current research at the Center's semi-monthly Fellows' Seminar. An advisor and two other faculty members guide the student in selection of courses and laboratory rotations. Students are encouraged to interact with all other members of the Center, who are also available for advice and guidance.
Further Study
After completing the core curriculum, each student's program is individually tailored to take maximum advantage of course offerings in areas relevant to his or her selected areas of interest.
Advanced Curriculum
Extensive doctoral course offerings available in the Center for Neural Science, the Programs in Basic Medical Sciences, and the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology provide a rich and advanced curriculum in all areas of neuroscience and related sciences. In addition, members of the Center offer advanced seminars in areas of their own research.
General Requirements for the doctorate at NYU
The Graduate School of Arts and Science home page provides listings of these offerings as well as information on transfer credits and other general requirements for the doctorate at New York University. It is expected that the student will fulfill the course requirements, complete the doctoral research, and defend the thesis within five years.
A minimum of 72 points is required, at least 32 of which must be taken in residence at New York University.
For students who began the program in September 2000 or later, at least 37 points must be
taken in graded courses. The first year core curriculum, required of all
students, includes the following graded courses: Cellular, Molecular
& Developmental Neural Science, G80.2201 (4 points); Sensory &
Motor Systems, G80.2202 (4 points); Cognitive & Behavioral Neural
Science, G80.2205 (4 points); Mathematical Tools for Neural Science,
G80.2207 (4 points); Laboratory in Neural Science I & II G80.2203
& 2204 (3 points each); and Introduction to Research in Neural
Science I, II G80.2210, 2211 (3 points each). These are all graded
courses. In addition, students attend the
Seminar in
Current Topics, the
Fellows' Seminar, and a series
of Workshops for Emerging
Scientists.
Note that second and third year students ordinarily register for 9 points per semester.
Students in the fourth year and beyond ordinarily register only for the courses needed to
meet the 72 points required for graduation.
Students who have earned 72 points "maintain matriculation.
That is, they maintain registration as full-time students without registering for courses.
CNS students may maintain matriculation without charge for six semesters.
"Introduction to Research" course should be taken only by students who are doing
rotations. Once you are attached to a laboratory, these courses are inappropriate.
The courses "Readings in Neural Science" and "Research Problems in Neural Science"
are intended to provide appropriate course credits for the
faculty-guided readings and research necessary for preparation of
the PhD thesis. These courses can be taken more than once for credit.
"Dissertation Research" courses should be taken only by students who have completed
about 66 points and the required number of points in graded courses. These courses are
ordinarily taken by students who are preparing the
thesis document.
Sample Ph.D.
Curriculum
| YEAR
1 |
FALL |
Cellular, Molecular &
Developmental NS |
4 pts |
Graded courses in red |
| Mathematical Tools for
NS |
4 pts |
|
| Laboratory in NS 1 |
3 pts |
|
| Laboratory Rotation #1 |
3 pts |
|
| |
| SPRING |
Sensory & Motor
Systems |
4 pts |
|
| Behavorial & Cognitive
NS |
4 pts |
|
| Laboratory in NS 2 |
3 pts |
|
| Laboratory Rotation #1
(cont'd)
|
3 pts |
|
| Summer |
Research: Laboratory Rotation # 2 |
|
YEAR 2 |
FALL |
Rotation
Talk (September) |
|
Graded courses in red |
| Advanced Graded Course
1 |
3 pts |
|
| Seminar in Current Topics
|
3 pts |
|
| Teaching
Assistantship (Fall or Spring) |
|
|
| |
| SPRING |
Advanced Graded Course
2 |
3 pts |
|
| Seminar in Current
Topics |
3 pts
|
|
| Fellows' Seminar |
3 pts |
|
| Second Year Paper (August
31)
|
|
|
|
YEAR 3 |
FALL |
Advanced Graded
Course 3 |
3 pts |
Graded courses in red |
| Research in
NS |
3 pts |
|
| Reading in NS |
3 pts |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| SPRING |
Research in
NS |
3 pts |
|
| Reading in
NS |
3 pts |
|
| Third Year Talk (April)
|
|
|
| Teaching Assistantship (Fall or
Spring) |
|
|
|
YEAR 4 |
FALL |
Research
in NS |
3 pts |
Graded courses in red |
| Reading in
NS |
3 pts |
|
| |
|
|
| Dissertation Proposal (December
1)
|
|
|
| |
| SPRING |
Research in
NS |
3 pts |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
YEAR 5 |
FALL |
Dissertation Research
|
3 pts |
Graded courses in red |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| SPRING |
Dissertation
Research |
2 pts |
|
| |
|
|
| Dissertation Talk |
|
|
| Dissertation
Defense |
|
|
Total Points = 72;
Graded Points = 37
Facilities
The Center for Neural Science offers state-of-the-art
facilities for training and research in several areas in neuroscience. The
main research facilities of the Center comprise 26,000 square feet of newly
renovated laboratory and office space at 4 Washington Place, adjacent to
the Departments of Physics and Psychology. Facilities include laboratories
for the 16 core faculty, and shared laboratories for histology, microscopy,
cell and molecular biology, photography, digital imaging, and computing.
Associates of the Center with adjacent laboratories in the Departments of
Physics and Psychology have an additional 12,000 square feet of laboratory
space; associates with laboratories in other departments have use of a
further 19,000 square feet. The Center incorporates modern vivarium
facilities operated by the University's Office of Laboratory Animal
Services, which provides suitable support personnel to assist researchers
and students in animal research, including work with nonhuman primates. The
Center jointly operates an electronic and machine shop with the Department
of Psychology; the shop provides modern facilities for the development of
specialized electronic and mechanical devices.
The Center's research laboratories contain an unusually comprehensive
array of modern research instrumentation. A centrally supported network of
superminicomputers and microcomputers guarantees the availability of the
most modern computing facilities for experimental work, data analysis, and
modeling. Individual laboratories are fully equipped with modern
instrumentation and computers and provide facilities for advanced research
in neurochemistry, neurophysiology, biophysics, behavioral neuroscience,
visual science, auditory science, mathematical biology,
computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science.
In addition, the Center stresses the shared use of advanced facilities in
areas such as computer-aided neuroanatomy, molecular and cellular
neurobiology, and computer graphics and image processing, thereby making
available research tools of a caliber not usually encountered in individual
research laboratories.
A 1,500-square-foot teaching laboratory, used for
laboratory courses in both the doctoral and undergraduate programs,
provides a high-quality environment for hands-on training in the
techniques of modern neuroscience. The laboratory provides outstanding
facilities for topical experimentation in neurophysiology and biophysics,
neurochemistry, experimental neuroanatomy, and behavioral neuroscience. A
separate computer laboratory provides modern facilities for laboratory
instruction in computational and theoretical neuroscience.
Admissions, Financial Aid & Housing
Admissions
Admission to the Doctoral Program in Neural Science is limited to qualified students, as documented by high scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), superior undergraduate grades, and excellent letters of recommendation.
Students seeking admission should have a strong background in one or more of the academic areas involved in neuroscience, such as biology, experimental psychology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering science.
Students with foreign qualifications must demonstrate their command of written and spoken English before admission to the Center. Qualified women and minority students are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications are due by December 12 for admission the following fall.
To complete an application, please click here.
Financial Aid
The Center provides support for students in the neural science program through fellowships, traineeships and assistantships so that students can devote themselves full time to their studies. Stipend levels equal or exceed those at other major research universities. Support for the first year is normally in the form of a University fellowship or NIH traineeship; in subsequent years, support is available in the form of traineeships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships.
Students are also actively encouraged to seek fellowship support from such outside sources as NSF and NIH, but the availability of multiple support mechanisms assures for each student in good standing the continuation of support for at least the five years normally required for completion of the doctorate.
Housing
Accommodations for qualified students are available in the three graduate residence halls. These include two-person studio apartments and private rooms with shared kitchens, and common areas in two- and three-bedroom apartments. Some off-campus apartments are also available. Rental costs for these units are significantly lower than for comparable non-University accommodations. However, students applying for housing must be full-time matriculants in the program, be recipients of financial aid, and have relocated from beyond a 35-mile radius of New York City.
An extensive referral service for other off-campus housing is available for students not meeting these criteria or not wishing to avail themselves of University housing.
Handbook & Student Guide
Handbook of The Doctoral Program in Neural Science
Download the Official Handbook [388K PDF]
The Student Guide
Prepared by the doctoral students in Neural Science.
Download the Student Guide [454K PDF]
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